Soccer
Toyota Stadium gets green light to host World Cup qualifiers─── MORGAN PIEK 08:10 Wed, 03 Sep 2025
The Toyota Stadium has been given the green light to host two crucial Group C 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Bloemfontein involving Bafana Bafana in the coming days.
On Tuesday, the iconic stadium in the City of Roses received the all-clear to go ahead with the matches, which will see South Africa take on Lesotho and Nigeria. This follows FIFA’s initial request that Lesotho, as hosts of the first game, move the fixture to the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Rocklands due to the poor condition of the Toyota Stadium pitch.
The state of the surface also drew sharp criticism from Bafana coach Hugo Broos, who described it as “awful”.
Mdu Shabalala in action for South Africa against Mauritius at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in the COSAFA Cup. Photo: Morgan Piek
After a series of meetings between the Lesotho Football Association (LEFA), the South African Football Association (SAFA), the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and FIFA, the venue was officially approved.
On Tuesday, LEFA confirmed to OFM Sport that the clearance had been granted and the match would go ahead at the originally planned venue, which also boasts an additional 23,000 seats.
“The Lesotho Football Association is pleased to inform the football fraternity in Lesotho and South Africa that Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein has been cleared to host Friday's 2026 World Cup Qualifier between Lesotho and South Africa as originally scheduled,” the statement read.
FIFA also confirmed that they had rubber-stamped their approval, allowing both fixtures to proceed at Toyota Stadium.
“Considering the encouraging progress observed on the pitch, both organisations have agreed that the matches will proceed as originally scheduled at Toyota Stadium.”
Hugo Broos at the Toyota Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe in 2024. Photo: Morgan Piek
Due to concerns over the pitch and the planned training facilities, Bafana Bafana opted to prepare for the clash against the Crocodiles in Soweto at Dobsonville Stadium. The national team will only travel to Bloemfontein on Thursday to fine-tune preparations.
Friday’s World Cup qualifier between Lesotho and South Africa at Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00.
On Tuesday, Bafana Bafana will lock horns with the Super Eagles at the same venue, with kick-off also set for 18:00.
